IKEA to build retail and leisure centre in Ufa

IKEA is intending to build a retail and leisure complex in the city of Ufa. As a Rosbalt correspondent was told on May 16 by Ruslan Mirsayapov, a spokesman for the city administration, the Moscow branch of the company IKEA Mos (retail and property) has bought 30 hectares of land in the administrative zone of Ufa for this purpose.

According to Mr Mirsayapov, negotiations between the Moscow branch of IKEA and the city administration have almost finished. The company hopes to complete the design of the complex by the beginning of 2004. Construction is expected to be completed over three stages, the first of which will be the construction of an IKEA furniture store. Later a supermarket and a leisure complex including a cinema and cafй will also be located at the new site.

'Our partners from IKEA have not yet specified the exact schedule for construction and the level of investment,' Mr Mirsayapov added.